I discovered the world of "River Heights" when I was about 14 years old - that was when sets of the books were flying off of the shelves at Sams Club and Costco. I was an avid reader, a self-professed tomboy, and therefore the harrowing adventures that Nancy always found herself in vastly appealed to my independent nature. But as an older, "more mature" adult now, (whoo, 21, that's getting up there!) I have a much deeper appreciation … more

Readers are introduced to an inquisitive, adventurous girl with which any inquisitive, armchair adventuress can identify. The series liberates the minds of girls especially who are ready to break out of the stereotypes they have been taught so fare. Solving puzzles, even those in the most obscure settings, comes naturally to the inquisitive, so Nancy Drew fits right into the imagination. By today's standards, Nancy and … more

I honestly didn't even like these books as a child. But then again, I still don't have any kind of affection for the mystery genre. This was likely my only issue with this series of books, but I haven't reread them, so I can't say for sure.

Wiki

Nancy Drew is a fictional young amateur detective in various mystery series for children and teens. Created by Edward Stratemeyer, founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate book packaging firm, the character first appeared in 1930. The books have been ghostwritten by a number of authors and are published under the collective pseudonym Carolyn Keene.

Over the decades the character has evolved in response to changes in American culture and tastes. The books were extensively revised, beginning in 1959, largely to eliminate racist stereotypes, with arguable success. Many scholars agree that in the revision process, the heroine's original, outspoken character was toned down and made more docile, conventional, and demure. In the 1980s a new series was created, the Nancy Drew Files, which featured an older and more professional Nancy as well as romantic plots. In 2004 the original Nancy Drew Mystery Stories series, begun in 1930, was ended and a new series, Girl Detective, was launched, with an updated version of the character who drives a hybrid electric vehicle and uses a cell phone. Illustrations of the character have also evolved over time, from portrayals of a fearless, active young woman to a fearful or passive one.

Through all these changes, the character has proved continuously popular worldwide: at least 80 million copies of the books have been sold, and the books have been translated into over two dozen languages. Nancy Drew has featured in five films, two television ...